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- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The FAO office in Brazil manages a portfolio of GEF-funded projects, including GEF Mar 2 and Mamirauá, focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and livelihoods improvement. GEF Mar 2 strengthens coastal and marine ecosystem management, restoration, governance, and sustainable value chains. The Mamirauá project promotes participatory management in Amazon wetlands. These initiatives are complemented by FAO programs in fisheries and aquaculture. To ensure integrated and compliant implementation, FAO is recruiting a Technical Project Specialist. The Technical Project Specialist will lead the execution of GEF Mar 2, support coordination with Mamirauá, and contribute to the Better Environment agenda. The role also supports aquatic food systems and blue transformation initiatives. The position reports to the GEF Task Manager and maintains technical alignment with the RLC Senior Fishery Officer.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent reports to the RLC Senior Fishery and Aquaculture Officer of RLC and The Representative FAO Brazil
Technical Focus
The Technical Project Specialist will be responsible for the overall technical and operational coordination of the GEF Mar 2 Project while also providing technical leadership and institutional support to complementary initiatives, including Mamirauá and FAO Brazil’s future fisheries and aquaculture portfolio.
The Technical Project Specialist will work closely with governmental partners, executing institutions, donors, FAO technical teams, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality and timely delivery of all outputs. The role combines coordination/administrative functions with technical leadership, ensuring coherence, scientific rigor, and institutional articulation.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Administrative and Coordination Responsibilities (60%)
Project Implementation and Institutional Coordination
• Coordinate and support the daily implementation of all project activities, ensuring alignment with the approved work plan and budget, and expected results.
• Coordinate with the LTO, BH, and other teams, as appropriate, to ensure consistency across programs and strategic alignment with national and FAO priorities.
• Facilitate engagement and articulation with key stakeholders at national, state, and local levels, ensuring effective functioning of governance platforms and coherence between policies, programs, and projects.
• Ensuring a high level of collaboration among participating institutions and organizations at the national and local levels
• Ensure meaningful engagement of stakeholders in line with the Stakeholder Engagement Plan
• Maintain linkages with relevant national and international initiatives to promote synergies and avoid duplication.
• Perform other duties related to project management and institutional coordination, as required.
Planning, Monitoring, and Reporting
• Coordinate and update the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP/B), ensuring alignment with implementation progress and strategic priorities.
• Maintain and update the Results Framework in coordination with the Partners and technical teams.
• Track progress of all outputs, outcomes, and activities, ensuring timely delivery of inputs, milestones, and deliverables.
• Coordinate monitoring missions, data collection, and progress assessments.
• Register progress in corporate systems (e.g. FPMIS) and other monitoring tools.
• Prepare technical and financial progress reports (semi-annual and annual) following FAO and GEF requirements.
• Monitor project expenditures and support the financial team to ensure accuracy and compliance with FAO/GEF rules.
• Ensure consistency between reported progress, financial execution, and field evidence.
• Organize technical missions, workshops, training sessions, and consultations as required.
Governance and Secretariat Functions
• Provide technical and administrative support to the Project Steering Committee / Management Committee, including preparation of briefing documents, action plans, agendas, and meeting minutes.
• Facilitate discussion and follow-up of findings from monitoring, field visits, audits, and evaluations within governance structures.
• Ensure that evidence from monitoring and assurance processes informs decision-making, adaptive management, and adjustments to planning instruments (e.g. POA/AWP).
• Ensure that project resources are used exclusively to achieve the project’s objectives and in compliance with FAO/GEF and national regulations.
Oversight, Risk Management and Compliance
• Provide technical and fiduciary oversight of the Operational Partner (OP) and Operational Partner Agreement (OPA), including verification of implementation progress and results.
• Review and validate narrative and financial reports from the OP, triangulating with field evidence.
• Ensure that project funds are used for intended purposes through appropriate verification mechanisms, including field visits.
• Plan and implement field visits as part of the Risk Mitigation and Assurance Plan (RMAP), in coordination with BH and LTO, with frequency defined based on risk (minimum annually).
• Supervise audits, spot checks, and other assurance activities.
• Identify operational, technical, and fiduciary risks, and propose corrective actions.
• Escalate critical issues and trigger additional assurance measures when needed.
• Ensure compliance with FAO, GEF, and national regulations.
Communication and Visibility
• Oversee the implementation of the project Communication and Visibility Plan.
In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:
• Review and validate communication products developed by partners to ensure alignment with FAO and donor requirements.
FAO Standards and guidelines:
Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE(https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.
Technical responsibilities (40 %):
Technical Leadership Across Components
• Provide overall technical leadership for fisheries, aquaculture, coastal/marine management, and ecological restoration activities in Brazil.
• Provide overall technical leadership for implementation of project outcomes and outputs.
• Ensure the scientific and methodological soundness of all technical activities.
• Provide technical guidance to executing partners, field specialists, consultants, and institutional partners.
• Review and approve technical deliverables and reports submitted by experts and consultants.
• Ensure alignment of project interventions with national policies, FAO methodologies, and GEF guidelines.
• Monitor scientific and policy developments related to marine conservation, fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal governance, integrating relevant updates into project implementation.
• Other tasks related to aquatic food systems as may be determined based on work needs.
Technical Strengthening and Policy Dialogue
• Support FAO Brazil in representing fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal/marine issues in inter-institutional dialogues, technical groups, and government-led initiatives.
• Promote technical synergies between GEF-funded and non-GEF initiatives and international cooperation programs within the project’s geographic scope.
• Provide technical input for new project proposals or strategic documents within FAO’s Better Environment portfolio.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in public policy, environmental sciences, biology, fisheries/aquaculture, geography, forest engineering, or related fields.
• At least 8 years of experience in coordination of environmental, fisheries, aquaculture, natural resource management projects or public administration related to mentioned areas of which minimum 5 years of experience in natural resources project coordination
• Working knowledge of English
• Brazilian nationality.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Familiarity with FAO procedures or other UN agency processes.
• Familiarity with GEF project requirements and reporting.
• Intermediate language competence in Spanish.
• Experience in Communication and Knowledge Management
• Experience with monitoring and Evaluation
• Strong technical English writing skills
Selection criteria
• Advance degree in a related area, preferably with emphasis on restoration, coastal/marine management, fisheries, or aquatic systems.
• Demonstrable experience in leading teams and preparing high quality technical documents
• Ability to interact effectively and with cultural sensitivity in diverse cultural scenarios.
• Working knowledge of Spanish is highly desirable
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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